Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Art Aesthetics
of a Selfie

What I am is
what I am. No ambiguity.

below: Selfie painted by Nayda A. Cuevas

Can this be what
the selfie trend presents?

The selfie is a
quick self portrait created with a smart phone camera and immediately
distributed into social media. It becomes an instant communication of what I am
doing where I am, who I think I am and who is watching.

As an artist the
selfie trend contains aspect I am interested in.Artists have used themselves as subjects to
be displayed and create self portraits for many reasons; Like…

we are all always there on time and
can sit for long periods of time

we also like to show off our skills
in painting

we need to reveal something inner to
the outside world in the most vivid way we know how

portrait below: Alice Neel

below: Chuck Close self portrait

Once the painted
portrait is complete we make it public. Similarly to the selfie, a painted
portraits primary purpose is to be seen now, by other people, and most of them
strangers.Selfies are seen in social
networks and so is art, but art is also viewed in art galleries and
Museums.The difference in theses space/environments
is its prestige. There is a perceived notion of power and beauty that exudes
from portraiture because they are understood to serve a special purpose and
will become public

Can I as an
artist, take your approved selfie uploaded onto social network seen by all and
give it additional light and prestige by painting your portrait and bringing it
into an art context?

I paint people
because I am drawn to features, body language, and forms of expression. A
selfie is carefully articulated vision of who we choose to be on any given day
and moment. It is the ultimate representation of the way we want the world to
see us now.

The definition
and purpose of art is constantly transforming. Merging old traditions in art
and modern trend keeps art contemporary.

What can your
selfie aspire to be?

Notes taken from: New York Magazine, Feb 3, 2014 and Newsweek.com 10/17/2013